Lumber-raft



N. R. SMITH.

LUMBER RAFT APPLICATION FYILED NEWED AUG. l2. |9|9- 1,331,034. Patented Feb. 17,1920.

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LUMBER RAFT APPLICATION FILED APR.23,1918. RENEWED AUG. 12. |919. 1,331,034.. Patented Feb. 17,1920.

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NORMAN R. SMITH, 0F EUREKA, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF T0 BAIRD PALLETTE, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

Specification of Letters Patent.

LUMBER-RAFT.

Patented Feb. 17, 1920.

Application led Apr123, 1918, Serial No. 230,312. Renewed August 12, 1919. Serial No. 317,065.

To all whom t 'may concern.'

Be it known that I, NORMAN R. SMITH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Eureka, in the county of Humboldt, State of California, have invented new and usefui Improvements in Lumber-Rafts, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to means for transporting lumber by water; relating more particularly to that form and'means of transportation known as a raft This invention relates to improvements upon the commonly known form of log raft in which logs are bundled together in the form of a cigar- Shaped raft for transportation in streams and upon the sea.

Great difficulty has been experienced in such transportation of logs due to the violent action of waves which sometimes breaks up such rafts, causing loss of the lumber and creating a great menace to navigation. These difficulties are due primarily to faulty and inefficient means for holding such rafts together. Furthermore, such a raft of logs always presents a greater superficial area than is necessary in proportion to its cubical contents or board-feet contents of good lumber, because in a log raft there is :a great deal of interstitial space between the logs Vand also a great deal of waste lumber being transported. These diicultiesare the ones which my invention is primarily aimed to overcome; but there are many other objects of the invention which will be understood from the following description of a preferred form of lumber raft which embodies my invention. In its preferred form my raft may be described as a lumber shell surrounding and incasing and forming a substantially smooth outer Asurface for a solid filling of lumber; the whole structure being tied together interiorly (in contradistinction to the practice of tying log rafts by putting encircling chains around them) and the construction and the ties are somade and arranged that when the raft is completed, it becomes in effect a solid mass of timber so constructed and tied together as to efficiently withstand any sea action; and yet so constructed as to have a certain amount of flexibility or yielding quality rather than to be absolutely stiff and rigid. Furthermore, I so construct this raft as to make it easy and tractable to tow; and I employ a peculiar form of towing connection or hitch which tends to hold the raft more tightly together when it is put under greater stress and strain.

My raft is also designed in such a manner that it may be constructed entirely, and contain entirely, lumber of standard dimension, both as to cross section and length; so that substantially all of the lumber, both that carriedinside the shell and that used in the construction of the shell, may be subsequently cut into standard sizes.

My invention will be better understood from the following detailed description of a preferred form of lumber raft embodying my invention. For this purpose reference is had to the accompanying drawing in which a preferred and specific form of raft is illustrated, and in which drawings* Figure l is a plan showing the outline of a typical form of raft; Fig. 2 is a horizontal section of the same; Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the same; Fig. l is an enlarged horizontal section of the forward part of the raft; Fig. 5 is a further enlarged vertical transverse section taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 1; Fig. 6 is an enlarged vertical longitudinal section taken on line 6 of Fig. l; Fig. 7 is an enlarged horizontal section of the rear end of, the raft; Fig. 8 is an enlarged perspective showing features of the construction; and Fig. 9 is a further enlarged horizontal detail section showing parts which are shown in Fig. 4.

In the drawings I show a raft which may be (to give an idea of its actual size and proportions) say, 250 feet long, 48 feet in width, and about 16 feet in depth. Such a raft is capable of containing approximately two and one-half million board-feet of lumber.

The raft is preferably made in the general form illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 with a front or bow end of such shape as to eiliciently part the water, and a tapering stern; so as to cause the raft to tow well and keep head on. The framing or shell of the raft may be generally described as formed of a plurality of transverse frames, each of which comprises a top and bottom timber and two opposite side timbers. Or the shell may be described as being composed of a series of transverse top and bottom timbers which are horizontal; these top and bottom and side timbers being secured together at the corners, and adjacent timbers beingsecured together lengthwise of the shell. Y

The actual construction may perhaps be best understood from a description in terms of the process or method of making the raft. The raft is laid in the water, and as it is built it gradually sinks. The Hoor of the raft is first laid by laying the transverse floor timbers 10. These floor timbers 10 may or may not be of a length equal to the entire length of theraft. vFor instance, I may make the raft say, forty-eight feet in breadth, and then I may use floor timbers of lengths which may be preferably in nmultiples of eight feet-for the body part` of the raft. @f course at the tapering vbow and stern the length of the floor timbers is cut down in conformation` with the design. But these shortened floor timbers forward and aft may extend clear through from side to side, or may be formed of two or more timbers to make up the requisite transverse length. Regardless of these particulars, the lioor timbers are connected longitudinally together by means of bolts which are indicated at 11 in Fig. 4 and are shown in enlarged detail in Fig. 9. One bolt 11 will pass horizontally through several floor timbers, say through four or five adjacent timbers, and the next bolt passes through one of the timbers through which the adjacent bolt has passed, and passes through the next four or live timbers; and so on throughout the whole length of the floor construction. Now these bolts 11 are run lengthwise in the floor in several lines or series; so that each one of the floorl timbers is pierced by several bolts or sets of bolts tying it lengthwiseto the adjacent members. These bolts also serve to tie together the fioor timbers which are made lup of lengths shorter than the complete side to side width of the raft. And these bolts, like all others used in this construction, as hereinafter explained, preferably fit through the timbers in holes 11at which are somewhat larger than the bolts so as to provide not only for the easy insertion and removal of the bolts, but also to provide a certain amount of fiexibility in the construction 'which could not 'be attained if the bolts other floor timber 10 extends to the otheil surface line of the raft, while the remaining floor timbers 10 extend only to the inner edge of the vertical side timbers 12. Every other vertical side timber 12 then extends into the space between alternate floor timbers; so that there is a sort of dovetailed construction between the floor and the side timbers. The bolts 13 are Vpassed through the iioor timbers and side timbers at their corner junctures, in the manner shown in Fig. -9 and indicated at 12 in Fig. 4. A somewhat similar dove-tailed construction and juncture between the vertical side timbers 12 and the transverse top timbers 14 is illustrated in the perspective of Fig. 8; although it will be noted that the method of bolting on top is different, due to the fact that the top timbers are placed and secured after the side timbers are in place. It will be seen that alternate transverse top timbers extend clear out to the side surface, .while the remainder end at the inner surface of the side timbers; the side timbers alternately extending through and between the top timbers; and in the tapering portions at bow and stern bolts 15 are used to secure the timbers together at their juncture. In-the straight body part of the raft construction, the Vtop timbers 14 which extend farthest outwardly extend not onlyV to the outer .surface of side timbers 12, but also extendzbeyond the outer surface by a distance equal to the sectional dimension of the standard timbers used in this con- 100 struction; so that a longitudinal stringer 16 may be bolted with bolts 17 to the side timbers 12 and `then alternate top timbers 14 are bolted with bolts 18 to this stringer 16. The side timbers 12 may also'be trans- 105 versely bolted together by longitudinal bolts 19 in the same way that the iioor timbers 10 are bolted together.

In the process of building the shell of the raft, I assemble the bottom and sides first; 110 the top timbers not being put on until the raft is completed. Having built the bottom and sides of the raft, I then begin to pile in the lumber 20. A keel timber 21 has been laid along the bottom center of the floor,

and may be secured by occasional bolts 21a. I pass a pluralityof vertical tie cables or the like, as shown aty 22, through or between the floor timbers and around this keel 21. This is best shown in Fig. 5. I may also, if I so desire, pass other vertical tie cables 23 vertically through the raft, and these tie cables may be passed at the lower ends around one or more of the iioor timbers. Such cables as these are put in place in the Hoor construction before the piling of the timber is started. Then I begin to pile the timber 20 in place, placing it longitudinally of the raft and packing it as tightly as possible, butting the ends of the timbers against 13o leach other; so that the whole structure is packed longitudinally and transversely as tightly as possible. lVh'en I have built up to a certain predetermined height with the timber then I lay in the longitudinal tie cables 25 and the transverse tie cables 26. Longitudinal tie cables 25 extend the full length of the structure and pass aroundone or more of the bow and stern side timbers 12a. These longitudinal cables are first put in place and are then tightened by means of turnbuckles 27 which are placed at convenient points on the longitudinal cables. Then a filling of thin boards is placed, as shown at 28, longitudinal of the structure.A These boards 28 are laid for the purpose of allowing spaces in which the longitudinal tie cables 25 may lie. The transverse tie cables 26 are then put over these boards and over the cables 25. These transverse tie cables pass around one or more of the side timbers 12 and are provided with turnbuckles 30 by which theyV may be tightened up. Both these sets of cables having been tightened in position, then another course of spacer boards is laid, as shown at 31, transversely of the structure, allowing spaces in which.

the transverse tie cables 26 lie. Then other courses of the lumber is put into the raft in the same manner, and when these courses are built un to a suiicient height, then other sets of longitudinal and transverse tie cables 25 and 26 are put in place, with their spacer boards 28 and 31, the same as before. This process of filling is continued until the top of the raft is reached.

When I say cable it will be understood that I do notlimit myself to that specific thing. Other means may be used, such as chains, rods, or any other suitable tying means. Y

The vertical tie cables have been kept in position through the lumber during all the time of packing the lumber, small spaces having been left to accommodate them. The top timbers are then put in place and bolted to the side timbers in the manner hereinbefore explained; and these top timbers may also be bolted together by longitudinal bolts which are indicated at 35 in Fig. 5, this bolting beingsubstantially the same as the bolting' for the bottom. The corner boltings, both top and bottom, allow a certain amount of flexibility in the cross section of the raft; it is the interior filling of timber and interior tying that holds the shell in form. The vertical ties 22 which pass around keel timber 2l on the bottom are passed around a longitudinal top stringer 36 which extends over the top timbers 14. The other vertical ties 23 may be passed through or around any of the top timbers. All the vertical ties may be pulled up tight vin any suitable manner and fastened at their upper ends on the top of the raft. Furthermore, I place a transverse timber 40 across the forward part of the raft, for the purpose of spreading the hitch cable 50. I have vertical ties 42 through the whole structure, passing these ties around the floor timbers and up and over this transverse timber 40. The transverse timber 40 is thus held down permanently and securely onto the raft structure; and it is prevented from moving longitudinally (transversely across the structure) by means of straps 46 which may be fastened to the upper or top construction in any suitable manner, preferably extending around and under the side stringers 16, and may be fastened by the bolts 17 and 18. The barge is preferably towed by cables, preferably one continuous hitch cable 50 which passes through eyes 41a in the straps 46, then it is crossed over the top surface of the raft, then passed down on the opposite sides and crossed under the bottom surface and then in a typical case crossed again over the top surface and under the stern part of the raft. The tow lines 41 are fastened to the ends of the hitch cable 50I and thus pulling from opposite sides of the raft tend to keep the raft head on in the line of travel. The function of the hitch cable is to hold the raft together and to distribute the towing strain throughout the entire raft rather than con* centrate it on one end or point. The arrangement of the hitch cable 50 enables the raft to be towed from `the front end and at the same time distributes the towing strain in such a manner as to cause said strain to tend to hold the raft together rather than pull it apart. A greater strain on the towing cable causes the hitch cable to tighten.

IVhen completed my raft in reality comprises a solid mass of timber which is bound together by interior ties, and incased within a shell strongly held together .but possessing a certain amount of yielding quality. This shell presents to the waves a substantially smooth surface. No projecting parts or corners afford any place where the water may gain access and start tearing the raft to pieces. At the same time the construction of course allows percolation of water through the crevices of the raft; so that the water pressure is the same inside as out. This fact greatly increases the effective strength of the raft to resist wave action. The raft cannot be crushed by any possible wave action.

Furthermore, although the whole raft is securely held together both transversely and longitudinally and cannot be pulled apart, yet it has a certain amount of flexibility, both as regards longitudinal bending and as regards twisting action. This flexibility is due to the-fact that the shell is more or less flexible, as lhereinbefore explained, and also due to the fact that the ties by which the whole raft is held together are flexible. This fiexibility allows the raft to more or less conform itself to troughs between waves; making the raft resist the wave action much better than it would if it were endeavored to make the raft entirely rigid.

lVhen the raft arrives at its destination it is taken apart and all the hardware removed to be used again on another raft. In practical transportation of lumber two sets of hardware will suffice for enough rafts to keep a tug operating continuously; one set of hardware being made up into the next raft while the preceding one is being transported and taken apart. The lumber in the raft may all be used for connnercial purposes. The shell is built of timbers of standard size and length so that it can be used just as effectively as the lumber carried in the raft.

Although I have now described my raft in some particularity and detail, I have done so for the purpose of rendering my invention completely intelligible and not for the purpose of limiting the invention. I conceive my invention to be broad in its scope; and the following claims are directed, and

are to be interpreted, broadly to the subject v matter herein disclosed and other similar constructions which may follow from my invention or -which may, as modifications or changes of the construction or its details, suggest themselves to those skilled in the art. In instance, among other things, the raft may be made in various sizes, shapes, proportions, etc., to suit any particular circumstances, as the draft and width of waterway in which the raft is built or through which it must be passed.

Having described a preferred form of my invention, I claim:

l. A lumber raft, comprising an outer shell of lumber, said shell being non-rigid in itself, and an inner filling of lumber packed tightly in the shell.

2. A limiber raft, comprising an outer shell of lumber, said shell being non-rigid in itself, an inner filling of lumber packed tightly in the shell, and means to tie the shell and filling together.

3. A lumber raft, comprising an outer shell of lumber, said shell being non-rigid in itself, an inner filling of lum'ber packed tightly in the shell, and means to tie the shell and filling together by tying members extending through the filling.

4. A lumber raft, comprising an outer shell of lumber, said shell being non-rigid in itself, yan inner filling of lumber packed tightly in the shell, and means to tie the shell and filling together interiorly;

5. A lumber raft, comprising an outer shell of lumber, said shell-being non-rigid in itself, an inner filling of lumber packed tightly in the shell, and means toV tie the shell and lling together interiorly, said means embodying a plurality of tying caf bles extending transversely and longitudinally through the raft.

6. A lumber raft, comprising an outer enveloping shell of lumber non-rigid in itself, an inner filling of lumber, and means to tie the shell and filling together interiorly.

7. A lumber raft, comprising an outer shell of lumber, an inner lling of lumber, and means to tie the shell and fillingY together interiorly, said means embodying flexible transverse and longitudinal members attachedV to the shell and passing through the filling of lumber. i

8. A lumber raft, comprising an outer shell of lumber, said shell beino` non-rigid in itself, an inner filling of lumber packed tightly in the shell, and means to tie the shells and filling together interiorly, said means embodying a plurality of tying cables in spaced relation extending vertically and horizontally transversely and longitudinally through the raft.

9. In a lumber raft, a shell comprising transverse top, bottom and side timbers secured together at the corners of the raft, and means to secure adjacent timbers together in a direction longitudinal of the raft, said means allowing a limited amount of relative movement between adjacent timbers.

l0. In a lumber raft, a shell comprising transverse top, .bottom and side timbers secured together at the corners ofthe raft, and means to secure adjacent timbers together in a direction longitudinal of the raft, said means allowing a limited amount of' relative movement between adjacent timbers, said securing at the corners also allowing rlelative movement, so that the shell is flex ile.

ll. In a lumber raft, a shell comprising transverse top, bottom and side timbers secured together at the cornersV of the raft, and longitudinal bolts each passing through a plurality of adjacent timbers to hold them together. .12. In alumber raft, a shell vcomprising transverse top, bottom and side timbers secured together at the corners of the raft, and longitudinal bolts each passing through a plurality of adjacent timbers to hold them together, said bolts passing through holes larger than the bolts to allow y a limited amount of Vfiexibility in the structure.

13. A lumber raft, comprising an outer shell of lumber, said shell being non-rigid in itself, an inner filling of lumber packed tightly in the shell, means to tie the shell and filling together interiorly, said means embodying a plurality of tying cables in spaced relation extending vertically, and horizontally transversely and longitudinally through the raft, a keel timber under'the bottom timbers, a longitudinal Stringer timber over the top timbers, and some of the vertical tying cables connecting between said keel and top Stringer.

14. In a lumber raft, a shell comprising transverse top, bottom and side timbers secured together at the corners of the raft, said timbers being of such length and so placed as to form a raft shell with a water-parting bow and tapering stern, means to hold adjacent timbers together to hold the shell together longitudinally, a filling of lumber packed tightly in the shell, and means for internally tying the shell and filling together longitudinally and transversely.

15. In a lumber rat, a shell comprising transverse top, bottom and side timbers secured together at the corners of the raft, said timbers being of such length and so placed as to form a raft shell with a waterparting bow and tapering stern, means to hold adjacent timbers together to hold the shell together longitudinally, said means embodying longitudinal bolts each passing through a plurality of adjacent timbers through holes therein larger than the bolts so as to allow a limited flexibility of the shell, a filling of lumber packed tightly in the shell, and means for internally tying the shell and lling together longitudinally and transversely.

16.. In a lumber raft, a shell comprising transverse top, bottom and side timbers secured together at the corners of the raft, said timbers being of such length and so placed as to form a raft shell with a waterparting bow and tapering stern, means to hold adjacent timbers together to hold the shell together longitudinally, said means embodying longitudinal bolts each passing through a plurality of adjacent timbers through holes therein larger than the bolts so as to allow a limited flexibility of the shell, a lling of lumber packed tightly in the shell, and means for internally tying the shell and lling together longitudinally and transversely, said means embodying vertical cables and horizontal transverse and longitudinal cables eXtending through the raft.

17. A lumber raft, comprising an outer shell of timbers laid transversely to the length of the raft and secured together longitudinally, said timbers forming a complete shell, and an inner filling of lumber lai-d longitudinally in the shell.

18. A lumber raft, comprising an outer shell of timbers laid transversely to the length of the raft and secured together longitudinally, said timbers forming a complete shell, said shell being non-rigid in itself, and an inner filling of lumber laid longitudinally in the shell and snugly filling the shell.

19. A lumber raft, comprising an outer shell of timbers laid transversely to the length of the raft and secured together longitudinally, said timbers formino' a complete shell, an inner filling of luniber laid longitudinally in the shell, and means passing through the filling to tie the shell and iilling together.

20. A lumber raft, comprising an outer shell of timbers laid transversely to the length of the raft and secured together longitudinally and forming substantially continuous and smooth bottom, side and top walls, and a lling of lumber laid longitudinally in the shell.

In witness that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto subscribed my name this 15th day of April 1918. i

NORMAN R. SMITH. 

